Bacillus anthracis, the pathogen that causes anthrax Photo: website of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention

 

Beijing on Monday reported an anthrax pneumonia patient, who comes from Chengde in North China's Hebei Province and had contact history with cattle and sheep, and products that come from those animals.

The patient was transported to Beijing via an ambulance four days after showing symptoms and the person was later quarantined and put under treatment, the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Beijing CDC) announced on Monday. 

Anthrax is highly deadly if not treated properly. Bacillus anthracis, the pathogen that causes anthrax, was developed into a biochemical weapon and had been used in 20th century. According to an article published in Science Focus, a journal from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Japan used it as a biochemical weapon in World War II.

Anthrax is prevalent among cattle and sheep. Human beings usually get infected after coming in contact with sick animals or contaminated products. The most common way of infection, 95 percent of reported cases, are skin contacts, which could cause blisters and skin necrosis, Beijing CDC said. 

The most dangerous one is anthrax pneumonia, when a patient inhales dust containing Bacillus anthracis and gets infected. People can get intestinal anthrax after eating contaminated food, usually meat, and will develop symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. 

Anthrax can be transmitted directly between human beings but it's not as infectious as flu or COVID-19. Bacillus anthracis is a bacterium and multiple antibiotics are effective treatments.

Global Times